Leading in Central MA: Jennifer Agbay, Ballet Arts Worcester

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Susan Wagner, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Jennifer Agbay, Director of Ballet Arts Worcester

Jennifer Agbay is the Director of Ballet Arts Worcester and the proud presenter of the annual production of The Nutcracker at The Hanover Theatre, in collaboration with the Youth Ballet of Worcester, and The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra.

Agbay received her early dance training, beginning at the age of six, at The Performing Arts School of Worcester. Studying under Directors, Shirley Benjamin, Wayne Stuart, Gayla Zuchavich and Kevin Milam, she was encouraged to pursue a career in dance. In 1997, Agbay received a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Dance Education from New York University. In the six years that she resided in NYC, her professional repertoire included: The Washington Square Repertory Dance Company and a New York City based ballet company, “Ballet for Young Audiences”. Agbay was a former Joffrey ballerina and served on the faculty at the Boston Ballet School.

From 2003-2005, Agbay served as Artistic Director for the Performing Arts School of Worcester. In 2006, Ballet Arts Worcester was conceived to provide students formal dance training and education in classical ballet. Agbay is entering her 7th year as Director and has staged known ballets for the school, including, Coppelia, Stars and Stripes, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Peter and the Wolf, for the children’s music series at Music Worcester. She has choreographed both classical and contemporary works for the Youth Ballet of Worcester and been selected to choreograph all musical productions for Assumption College. For the past four summers, Agbay has choreographed for the Hanover Theatre’s Youth Summer Program.

A Conversation with Jennifer Agbay

SW: Can you talk a little about Ballet Arts Worcester?

JA: I own and direct Ballet Arts Worcester, a classical ballet school that provides serious, formal and disciplined training to students 3 years to adult. As director of the school, it is my job to provide the student body a faculty that is educated and experience in classical ballet, both in the classroom and professional stage. I create an environment that is nurturing and supportive, so that students can meet the standards of classical ballet as an art form and a highly skilled craft. I also guide pre-professional students down a path for successful career opportunities, whether it is with a collegiate program or with a dance company program.

SW: What led you to your current career?

JA: My love and passion for movement and expression. Dance is what I live and breathe, since the tender age of seven. At this very young age, I knew that my life would encompass dance somehow in some form, whether it was dancing professionally, choreographing or educating others.

SW: Jack Welch made the statement that good business leaders create, articulate, own and relentlessly drive a vision to completion. What is your vision?

JA: The initial vision in 2006, was to keep classical ballet alive in Worcester, especially when the only classical ballet school for over 30 years, Performing Arts School of Worcester closed its doors on their program. As a product of that school, I could not swallow that classical ballet in Worcester could be potentially gone forever. BAW was conceived just on that premise. Now that the business is in its 8th year and the initial vision of building a serious, thriving classical ballet school is complete, the current and future vision is to turn the school into a conservatory, where students can study this art form along with a complimentary academic curriculum.

SW: What is on the drawing board in 2014?

JA: On the drawing board for 2014, is a major proposal to the Worcester Center for the Performing Arts, Hanover Theatre to begin a children’s ballet series for young audiences. The proposal will bring alive well-known ballets and story book tales. I feel it is so important to culture our future audiences, teaching them to support and appreciate the arts, especially classical ballet. The proposal will also include collaborative efforts with the WPI’s student orchestra. Repertoire will include Peter and the Wolf, Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty and more!

SW: Who or what has had the greatest influence on your life?

JA: Both my wonderful husband and my family support me. I am the proud mother of two daughters.

SW: How do you define success?

JA: Success is happiness. With each business risk or adventure that I have taken in past eight years, I have found a learning lesson in every situation. Thank God, I am able to learn from the triumphs and failures, building a more confident, happy, successful me! My greatest business risk and success to date has been directing and producing The Nutcracker at the Hanover Theatre, since 2007. I proposed that we collaborate on a production that would celebrate a high caliber of artistry, dancing and magic, not to mention the onset of the spirit of the holiday season. This production has brought in an audience of over 7,000, both young and old to experience the magic and wonderment of The Nutcracker. I am so proud of this production and I am so grateful for all the support it has received! We plan on getting bigger and better every year.

SW: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

JA: In 10 years I see myself well established in my business and the community, adding more layers to this classical ballet school. Who knows, a conservatory, a satellite school, a professional adult ballet company attached to the school, more performance opportunities for my students, the list goes on and on!!! Whatever, it may be I will continue to find my happiness within my success! I love what I do, it is the breathe to my existence.

GoLocalWorcester presents Leading in Central Ma, a weekly profile of an outstanding community or business leader. Join us every Monday for an inspiring look at the careers and lifestyles of Central Massachusetts’s most influential citizens. If you have suggestions for a profile, please email [email protected].

Susan D. Wagner is president of Susan Wagner PR, a boutique public relations firm invested in meeting client's goals with integrity and creativity.

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